Christmas is a time for mediation

It would probably have been sensible to write a piece about agreeing arrangements for the festive season in September or maybe even August. Deciding then how children divide their time when they are off school and celebrations for Christmas or Hanukah builds in enough time to apply to the court to resolve matters if all else fails. In reality things do not pan out in that way and it is in November that people's thoughts start to turn to the practicalities of how to divide the holidays and it is not too late to try to grapple with the arrangements if they are still undecided. But if you do not have time for a court application and cannot agree the arrangements how can you tackle this?

Christmas is an emotive time and especially so if it is the first one for a separated family who have traditionally spent Christmas together in previous years. For one parent they will be facing the prospect that they might not be there for their favourite parts of the celebration. Even when you have done it a few times ...

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